Off-road tracks across WA have been given a boost thanks to a $100,000 investment from the State Government at York and Ledge Point, with the announcement having a knock-on effect for Pinjar.
Upgrades in York and Ledge Point carried out by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries are complete, providing safe and environmentally friendly sites for trail bike, quad bike and all-terrain vehicle users.
The future of Pinjar’s off-road vehicle site was also assured when the Cook Government decided to end pine harvesting in the Gnangara State Forest to preserve the roosting habitat of the endangered black cockatoo and support recreational use of the area.
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READ NOWBanksia Grove resident and FIFO worker Daniel Morgan said he was a regular user of the Pinjar off-road track with his two young sons for motocross riding.
“Because I live in Banksia Grove, I just grab the kids from school and have the bikes and everything loaded up ready to go, and just hit the track out there for a couple of hours after school and on weekends,” he said.
“(The boys) both started at about four, riding a PeeWee 50 and now they’re bigger and riding the KTM 50.
“The track is good because it’s so easily accessible there and it’s always open, you go down there and it’s good to use whenever as opposed to other tracks where you’ve got to hope someone is there and it’s open.
“There’s always other people there with their kids and the kids get to race around and have a bit of fun with them as well.”
Wanneroo MLA Sabine Winton said the government was committed to protecting the Pinjar site after it decided to end pine harvesting in the Gnangara State Forest.
“Designated spaces for off-road vehicle activities have been shown to improve the relationship between riders and the local community,” she said.
Upgrades at other sites are in the pipeline, as the search continues to expand WA’s off-road network, which includes 21 local government areas and four privately owned sites.
Arrangements for an ORV area in the Peel region are well-advanced, with DLGSC issuing a licence to a private proponent to undertake investigations and carry out due diligence.
This new facility, designed only for two-wheel bikes, is expected to launch next year.
“Off-road vehicles have become very popular in recent years; the Cook Government recognises this growing demand from locals and tourists for these areas to be safer and environmentally sensitive,” Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley said.
“The release of the land in the Peel region will enable more riders in Perth’s southern suburbs to get outside and enjoy this type of outdoor recreation in a safe and regulated space.
“A bonus is riders are more likely to avoid using areas of environmental or cultural importance.”